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Earlier this year we took a trip to California which included 2 days at the Disneyland Resort. In this memory, we revisit that trip with commentary by both Lou and Susie (Traci opted out this time). After the trip review, stay tuned for a special audio clip of Susie's first Disney ride, Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

It’s another beautiful day, and my plans have already changed. I was thinking this would be a fun time to review my days at Disneyland, but that’s going to have to wait, at least for one more week. Instead I’m going to bring you another request. This one came from a pair people. Both Chris from Montreal, and Denise. And Denise was kind enough to share her memory of Mickey’s PhilharMagic with us:

I was in Disney World in 2000 for my honeymoon and I did not get back until I went with my Mom and Aunt in Feb 2006. It was a very long 6 years to wait. I had Mickey's Philharmagic (and others) on a mp3 download that I found on the web and listened to them ALOT. When we finally got there, this was the first thing that we did when we arrived. As I was sitting there watching it, I was remembering how many times I had sat at my desk, listening to it and now I was actually sitting here watching it in person. I did start to tear up..... So this will always be one of my favorites because it was the first memory of a long over due trip.

Well Denise and Chris, here’s your request. We’re visiting a memory from 2006, and it’s the anniversary trip. Traci and I have barely begun our day in the Magic Kingdom, working our way around from Tomorrowland. We stop in and only have to wait for a short period before it’s our turn. We’ll jump into the memory as we start walking up through the queue area, and into the holding space just before the doors open automagically towards us.

So I’m back from California and boy what a trip. Disneyland is really a special place, and I think I have managed to fall more in love with Disney California Adventure, even without seeing the new World of Color show. But my trip report is for another podcast. Let’s just say, I’ll take Walt Disney World over Disneyland, but take either one of those way before the next park.

So today is going to be a special show, but before I forget yet again, let me start off with some housekeeping. I’ve been branching out on the social media realms a lot recently. It first started by getting my own fan page on Facebook (Facebook.com/WaltDisneyWorldMemories). Then I branched out to Twitter (@WDWMemoriesLou). Now I’ve even got my own voicemail line 336-WDW-MEM0 (336-939-6360). So you now have many ways to reach me, leave me feedback, find out what I’m doing, and of course make a request. So feel free to reach out to me through any of these mediums, and don’t hesitate to pass the word around. I’d love to see our fan base grow.

Now on with the actual memory. Today’s memory is one of my own requests. I was looking through my audio collection, trying to find something patriotic that I haven’t done before, and finally found something. As I figure, Frontierland is kind of Old Americana, so I thought “What can I do from there that’s different”? Have you ever heard of the Prairie Drifters? I’m not sure where these guys ended up, but back in 1998 they could be found in the Diamond Horseshoe. This was a daily show consisting of 4 guys playing 4 stringed instruments (Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle, and Bass). They were some of the most talented musicians I’ve seen, and well worth the catching the show. In fact, on the night of this memory, I caught them twice.

So back in 1998, I was in Orlando for a convention, so of course I went to the parks in my spare time. This evening, I had gotten a Turkey leg, and gone upstairs to watch from the balcony as the show happened. I started the recorder just as the show began, but unbeknownst to me, my battery was low, and halfway through the show, it died (that will be the end of our first memory). I realized later my audio was cut short, so I decided to return to see the Prairie Drifters again that evening. The next show I was ready, but again audio troubles plagued me, and I managed to overwrite some of my audio, losing a good chunk of the second set. So this isn’t the best audio, or even a full show. It’s not even in Stereo, but it’s something that is gone and very much missed, and a bit of the American Old West.

Well it’s been a long time. My work has been absorbing all of my week days, meaning the weekends go to my family, so that unfortunately has left me with little time left over for hobbies. But that’s beginning to change, and I’m hoping to get back to my every other week format of podcasting, but we’ll just have to see.

Now before we get into the memory, I have a big announcement. I’M GOING TO DISNEYLAND. That’s right, not Disney World, Disneyland. In June I’ll be making a trip to California for my brothers wedding and our family vacation. Part of that, will of course be a couple of days in Disneyland, where I hope to collect some memories that I can share with you.

But back to the the show. Today we’re back to our orignial format, and that means requests. Today’s request completes that email from Brian. His last request was for the Wonders of China movie. And I do believe he hasn’t been the only one to make that request.

So this is one we should all enjoy. It’s going to involve two stops at the China Pavilion in Epcot. The first one is in December of 2001. This is a stereo memory, in which we’ll jump right in to the movie. We’ll meet up with my family just as we’re getting the last of the warnings about the theater, and the movie begins. The second memory is from May 2007. In this binaural memory (headphones on) we happen up on Si Xian who is playing some folk music before the movie begins. My wife, my inlaws, and I take our spot and the movie begins again.

Now you may ask, why 2 versions. Well in 2003, Disney changed the movie from Wonders of China to Reflections of China. The moves have some similarties, but there are noticible differences. It’s not quite as drastic as say Canada, but it is noticible.

** Binaural Audio **
Time: 47:15
So I’m branching out a little bit this time. Today, we’re not going to have a show completely devoted to audio like we normally do. This time, we’re going to have a quick trip report. On this past December 27, I had the privelage of spending my birthday at Walt Disney World… sort of. A Few years ago we took a chance and actually went into the parks on my Birthday and that was a big mistake. We made it to the Animal Kingdom early, but by the time we made it to Epcot before Noon, the crowds were already getting Crazy. I’ll never forget that Soarin’ had a 210 minute wait, and we later found out all the parks but Epcot had closed their gates that day. So we opted not to do that again, and try getting some of that Disney Chritmas Magic just by going to the various Resorts and seeing their decorations. I’m going to try my best to recap for you the days events as my family, consistin g of my wife Traci, our daughter Susie, and her Grandma and two Grandpas wander around the resorts.

** Stereo Video **
Time: 15:01
So today is Christmas, and as is my tradition, I like to do a little something special. This year, I’ve been going through a bunch of the old family video tapes and came across a video of our trip to Walt Disney World in Christmas of 2000, and smack in the middle of the tape is a recording of the entire show of American Vybe. The best part is, I have the audio recording for this video (you can see me sitting on the floor right in front)

So, it’s two days after Christmas, the parks are busy, and they’ve got a full house. The video actually starts off behind the singers, but my brother quickly realizes he won’t see anything from back there, so he moves around back. The audio is a combination of the two feeds (from the camera and from my mike) and is in stereo sound.

Today’s request came from a couple people. First, this attraction was mentioned in the same email I received from Brian in episode 34. But it was also requested by Denise. Again these requests came in a long time ago, but I’m glad to be able to get to them now. Their request was for O’ Canada at the Canadian Pavilion in Epcot. Denise said:

I remember hearing about the change to the movie in Canada before we went down there. And as much as I like the rides and shows to stay the same, sometimes it is good when they are updated. And I was really looking forward to the new movie with Martin Short.

Well Denise, I’m sorry but I haven’t been down to Disney World since the recent change in the movie to Martin Short. In fact, today’s binaural memory comes from my last trip to Disney. It’s a perfect spring day in May 2007. Traci (who’s 4 months pregnant) and I are joined by her parents today. We arrive a little bit before the doors open, so we get to sit on the barrels and wait. Our hostess will welcome us, warning us about the feeling of motion, and then lets us in. You’ll hear my father-in-law mention the sound from the old projectors, and my wife comments about the quality of the pictures compared with the then new Planet: Earth series. I can only imagine the redone video has improved some of these things. In any case, the lights dim and we’re treated to what was probably my favorite 360° show in all of Epcot.

Today’s request comes from my good friend Brian, again about a year ago (I sound like Hotchberg). His request was for Hall Of Presidents (amongst others). His request was simple, just a “I’d Like to hear the Hall of Presidents”.

Well it’s a little late, but it couldn’t be more appropriate. As we American’s give thanks for our country, it’s great to reflect on the freedoms that were and are being defended by our leaders. This show, while some consider boring *caugh Iago*, I personally find it interesting. It’s not my favorite attraction, and often times I’ll just use it to avoid a storm, but I always come out grateful for the 30 minutes I just spent inside.

So today’s audio is a special one. I sadly haven’t been back to WDW in almost 3 years now, so I don’t have the latest incarnation. To make up for it, I’m sharing the previous two editions. We’ll start by revisiting a stereo memory from August 1999 on a trip with my family. The current narrator is Maya Angelou, and President Clinton gives a speech. We’ll then jump to a binaural memory from that same 2006 anniversary trip with my wife, and get to hear the narration by J. D. Hall and a speech given by President Bush. Both audio clips start as the show begins. Sadly I haven’t realized how much fun just hearing the queue/wait areas are yet, and just started recording right when the show begins. It’s still good audio though.

**Binaural Audio**
Time: 31:03
Today’s request comes from my good friend Jessica, oh… about a year ago (sorry Jessica). Her request was for MuppetVision 3D. She wrote:
“I also have one request. I would love to hear any audio you have from Muppetvision 3D in Hollywood Studios… I used to watch the Muppet Show when I was little, it was one of my favorite shows. When I went to Disney for the first time in 2002, that 3D show was the first show that I saw. Not only was it a hilarious show, but it was my first exposure to the amazing 3D technology that Disney uses and I was completely impressed with the quality of the show. It is one of my favorite shows in WDW. I also think that the preshow before hand, with the three televisions in the queue room, is so funny! My little sister loves to quote from it.”
Of course I’m with you Jessica. MuppetVision is far more than just a 3D movie and is truly one of the funniest attractions in the parks. There is so much to see and do here. As a word of advice, take your time and walk through the queue looking everywhere. Check out all of the waiting room during the pre-show, and catch the whole pre-show. If you have to wait a cycle to see it, just do it. It’s so worth it.
In any case, the audio we’ll hear today is from the infamous anniversary trip to Walt Disney World in 2006. We’ve just stepped inside the show building and the pre-show has already started. Sadly we missed the very beginning with the guys getting the sponsor logo strait, and on walks Scooter looking at the 3 different screens. The show progresses from there, and we’re ushered into the main auditorium shortly after, and the laughs continue. The show goes off without a hitch and we exit out to the right.